Figuring It Out As I Go

This year, I set an intention to sketch at fashion events. The two events hosted by the Los Angeles Fashion Council that I attended last week gave me a perfect opportunity to put intent into action. I've written about both already here and here, now I'll show you what I wore and what I drew with.

Wednesday night was an "on the way home from work" situation.
I chose the paisley shell because it has patch pockets.
That's why I took Elvis too. Well, that and Elvis has a built-in "wow" factor.

photos and "Food Fight" installation by Manny Castro

As soon as I got home, I wrote a list of supplies that I wanted to take the next day,
while my needs were still fresh in my mind:

I didn't have time to stop at an art supply store, so I "made do" with what I had on hand:

I created a figure template underlay to use as a framework to get the proportions right --
I just can't do it freehand

I put the same template into my iPad Brushes app and made a bunch of duplicates.
I ended up not using the iPad. Was happy sketching analog!

Day 2, ready to hit the I-10 to downtown -- Red Lips, people!!!

How the raw sketches look

Scanned sketch, added color in Illustrator

I'm happy with the direction these sketches are going. I like the loose "Mats Gustafson" look. [Look him up].
I've got many more to finish, and another event coming up next Thursday. WooHoo!

Checking in with Patti's Visible Monday. Click on over to see more Visibleness.

Los Angeles Fashion Council Fall 2013 Collections Day One

I met up with Heather of The Style Confessions and Amy of A Sunny Day In LA outside of 838 So Los Angeles for the Los Angeles Fashion Collections shows, hosted by the Los Angeles Fashion Council. The venue, in downtown LA, was a beautiful space to view the collections of ISM Mode and Sarine Marie.

free lunch!

First sketch. That's Sarah of 365hangers on the right [but not in the sketch].
I don't know the name of the gal I sketched.

The ISM Mode presentation:

The "backstage" dressing room was upstairs.
The models sidled elegently down the staircase.

My favorite piece from ISM Mode: 1/2 dyed striped skirt

One of my ISM Mode sketches

Designer/owner Inka Sherman after taking her bow.

Between shows, we took a coffee break (no pix) next door in the Cooper Building.
Then, returning to 838...

Heather gave me some classic Style Confessions poses --
it took me a while to catch on to what exactly she was doing!

People watching...

Ms Sassy!

Cindy worked the room for 1st Class Fashion

The Sarine Marie presentation:
I stood and sketched almost every look.
[I'll do a recap of all my runway sketches in a separate post -- very happy with the results].

the ruffle sleeve sheath

Sarine Marie Berberian, designer/owner.

The shows over, I got this one last shot of some manly color blocking:

Thank you LAFC for a wonderful time!
I wish I could return today to see SOLDAT, 8000 Nerves, and Odylyne.
Alas, I already had a prior meet up scheduled at LACMA... but ya never know, plans could change!

"About Los Angeles Fashion Council:
Los Angeles Fashion Council was founded in 2011 by Kelsi Smith, to promote, educate and support Los Angeles fashion designers through shows, show rooms and other retail and promotional projects in Los Angeles, nationally and internationally.
Designers are selected by our team, and must be L.A based, in business for one year and have produced a minimum of two collections. There are no fees for designers and participation in any of our programming is either free or at cost price." [from LAFC press release]

#LAFW -- Live Sketching at The Los Angeles Collections Fall 2013

As a member of the LA Blogger Group Two Point Oh LA, I was invited to preview the Fall/Winter 13 collections that the Los Angeles Fashion Council will present today and tomorrow. I brought my sketching supplies and here's what transpired.

I start with my sketch of Kelsi Smith, founder of both groups.
She looked like the goddess Nike in her black frock and trainers.

Kelsi @ Dedicated Follower of Fashion

Cindy was promoting a new fashion social site, 1st Class Fashion.
She was decked out in golden chains:

Sarine was there to present her Sarine Marie collection.
She is a 3rd generation LA garmento! Her pieces are beautifully tailored, a skill she learned from her father.

Sarine @ Sarine Marie

Linh was presenting SOLDAT for the designer Camilla who was busy in her studio getting her garments finished to present on Thursday. Hovey Lee Eco Jewelry was also featured with the line.
Linh has her own line of pouches, Nomisa, that cleverly keep your phone or glasses clean when stored within.

Linh @ Nomisa

Now to the "technical difficulties" portion of the soiree.
My first sketch of the evening:

I started off using a Prisacolor marker with the brush nib. It worked so well for my OSCAR sketches. Not so great for this kind of sketching on this size paper. Really only that above sketch is decent. The others you can hardly tell what's going on:

It's a learning process that I'm doing on the fly!

the marker on left + marker sketch
uni-ball "vision elite" used on the right sketch
drawing paper was preprinted with the LAFC graphics for the events

Today I'm going to sit the show in the "photographers' pit" and sketch.
I will bring a full arsenal of supplies because I'm not sure what will work best!